ZENS Unveils AirPower-Like Wireless Charger With 16 Coils to Charge Two Devices Anywhere on Mat

[MacRumors]

Dutch brand ZENS today unveiled a wireless charging mat with 16 overlapping coils, allowing two devices to be charged anywhere on the mat.

The ZENS Liberty will be able to charge any Qi-enabled devices, with the 16 coils providing a total output of 30W, while a built-in 2.4A USB port will be able to charge an additional device. Designed with high-grade aluminum, the mat will be powered by a 45W power adapter that connects via USB-C.

Other wireless charging mats released to date have fewer coils, resulting in devices needing to be placed in specific spots on the mat to charge.

This is the closest alternative we have ever seen to Apple's canceled AirPower mat, which would have been able to charge three devices placed anywhere on the mat, including an iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods. Of course, the ZENS mat will not have the same level of software integration with Apple devices.

Apple canceled the AirPower in March, noting that "after much effort," the mat failed to achieve its "high standards." An earlier report from Sonny Dickson claimed the AirPower would have been equipped with 21 to 24 coils, but reports claimed the mat suffered from overheating and potentially dangerous electromagnetic interference issues.

ZENS says the mat will be available in November for $139.99, with a limited edition version with see-through glass set to be offered for $179.99.

Article Link: ZENS Unveils AirPower-Like Wireless Charger With 16 Coils to Charge Two Devices Anywhere on Mat

 

[Buran]

So if these guys can do it, why couldn't Apple? What's different here?

 

[Tommo66]

Call me pedantic, but both these mats have wires. Truly can't see the point in having to put a device on a mat to charge as really no more convenient than plugging it in to an cable in the same location. Only place I can see a use is in a car, place it in a compartment in the centre console and have it charge while you drive.

 

[jobesucks]

who the **** wants to pay that for a charger

 

[Antoni Nygaard]

So if these guys can do it, why couldn't Apple? What's different here?

I think apple wanted to charge 3 devices. iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods

 

[___joshuaturner]

So if these guys can do it, why couldn't Apple? What's different here?

Maybe different standards of acceptable quality? Maybe 2 vs 3 devices was the breaking point.

 

[alpi123]

So if these guys can do it, why couldn't Apple? What's different here?

Apple intended to use 32 coils and charge 3 devices.

Plus, nobody knows if this charger will have any heat issues. It's still early.

 

[AppleAlex!]

So if these guys can do it, why couldn't Apple? What's different here?

I think the main issue was how tight the coils needed to be to be able to charge the Apple Watch like Apple wanted.

I think I remember reading somewhere that they had AirPower working for charging 2 normal devices, but the heat from charging an Apple Watch was almost enough to burn a hole in it.

 

[Juicy Box]

So if these guys can do it, why couldn't Apple? What's different here?

To be fair, Apple was aiming for three devices, but yeah, it doesn't look good for Apple with all of its resources to fail so hard on this.

 

[sub150]

So if these guys can do it, why couldn't Apple? What's different here?

Margin, manufacturing, reliability seem like the most sensible. Also seems like it can only charge 2 where Apple was 3.

 

[tremlock]

My 2 $5 chargers work just perfectly. No way I’m spending $140

 

[MvdM]

So if these guys can do it, why couldn't Apple? What's different here?

The difference is this device can charge 2 devices wirelessly at the same time and 's mat was supposed to charge 3 devices wirelessly at the same time.

After reading that  had problems with the temperature in a similar device I would be very careful trusting this mat from an unknown company.
If one of the other big brands came with a device like this I would be less hesative to buy it.

 

[dannyyankou]

So if these guys can do it, why couldn't Apple? What's different here?

Because when you add proprietary Apple Watch coils to the mix, it complicates things.

This is why Apple Watch should work with Qi charging standards.

 

[Glockworkorange]

Flame on!

 

[Pepe4life]

Hahaha this will be lit. (Literally)

 

[Mimiron]

I still don’t get it why the hell would you want to wirelessly charge your iPhone. A full charge takes like 2h40mins. Ain’t nobody got time for that. Enable fast wireless charging and then maybe.

 

[McTool]

Apple intended to use 32 coils and charge 3 devices.

Plus, nobody knows if this charger will have any heat issues. It's still early.

Like they didn’t tested it.
Some people...

 

[NickName99]

$139 7.5W charging? Ok sure

 

[Braderunner]

who the **** wants to pay that for a charger

Apple's would have cost a lot more.

 

[MotherFinMike]

no Apple Watch charger I'll pass I personally like the harderciderlabs SlicechargePro it has 6 coils and a Apple Watch charger

 

[psac]

Call me pedantic, but both these mats have wires. Truly can't see the point in having to put a device on a mat to charge as really no more convenient than plugging it in to an cable in the same location. Only place I can see a use is in a car, place it in a compartment in the centre console and have it charge while you drive.

If you've actually used a wireless charger, you would know the difference. I have one at work and it really is much easier to just drop the phone on the charger when I sit and just grab when I go instead of plugging in and out. I still use the wires at home when I really only plug in overnight.

 

[neuropsychguy]

So if these guys can do it, why couldn't Apple? What's different here?

Just because they are releasing this and Apple didn't release AirPower doesn't mean ZENS is successful and Apple failed. Besides the whole 2 devices vs 3 devices difference, this ZENS charger might only work as well as Apple's AirPower prototypes did and ZENS has a lower threshold for a release-worthy product than Apple does.

Of course, maybe this company is doing what Apple couldn't (assuming it is released in November like planned). Then again, one company did a limited release of a folding phone only to recall it and yet re-release it.

 

[furqan8421]

Call me pedantic, but both these mats have wires. Truly can't see the point in having to put a device on a mat to charge as really no more convenient than plugging it in to an cable in the same location. Only place I can see a use is in a car, place it in a compartment in the centre console and have it charge while you drive.

I get your point but the way I use my wireless charger is place iPhone on it and then if I get up and walk around can easily pick it up without plugging or unplugging things.

The downside is you can’t really use and charge at the same time very well. It’s not “necessary” by any means

 

[Eorlas]

Call me pedantic, but both these mats have wires. Truly can't see the point in having to put a device on a mat to charge as really no more convenient than plugging it in to an cable in the same location. Only place I can see a use is in a car, place it in a compartment in the centre console and have it charge while you drive.

I have a vertical stand on my desk that is really convenient for seeing notifications and using when I don't need lots of juice.

The mats are also pretty fantastic for nightstands, just plop it on when you're ready to sleep.

For the work I do, I can play music and charge at the same time very conveniently, as can anyone else with supported phone models.

It is a different type of convenience that has its use cases.

 

[BornAgainMac]

I thought that second photo was bacon on the plate for a split second.